“You will have to compose in particular without Cody Gakpo, Matthijs de Ligt, Sven Botman, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen, sick since Wednesday evening, in addition to Frenkie de Jong (thigh). Is there witchcraft in the air?
Non (smile), but unfortunately that’s the bad news. A few staff members weren’t feeling too well either. We try to find out where it comes from. It is very regrettable, but we must continue to concentrate on the match and we will have to take initiatives.
Are you worried that other players will be affected?
It depends on how the virus evolves. Nothing can be ruled out. We take precautions, we avoid handshakes.
“There is a positive pressure, with former players that I know well and very interesting new players”
It changes your plans
Yes, but we have double positions, and we tried players in several positions, it will help me form my base eleven.
Is it a special return for you, a year and a half after your last experience in Barcelona?
There is a positive pressure, with former players that I know well and very interesting new players. We are all very motivated to be successful.
What does the France team inspire in you?
We are talking about a finalist team from the last World Cup, 2018 world champions. They have a lot of experience and extraordinary individual qualities. In the League of Nations, we showed that we could beat them (2-0, November 16, 2018, in Rotterdam). We know their strengths, it’s a compact team, very dangerous on the counter-attack, with very great players and Mbappé who can make the difference on his own. »
